Master of Science in Accountancy Curriculum
A Flexible Career-Focused Accounting Curriculum
The on-campus Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) requires 32 graduate credit hours for completion – at least 20 hours of graduate-level accountancy courses and at least four hours in a non-accountancy graduate course.
This is a non-thesis program. Publication is not required for completion of the program.
Quick Facts
- 32 total graduate credit hours required
- 20 graduate credit hours of accountancy coursework (minimum)
- 4 graduate credit hours of non-accountancy coursework (minimum)
- 8 graduate credit hours of graduate electives
- 3-semester program
Course Schedule
The master's of science in accountancy program is open to students of all academic backgrounds. Below is one example of how a study plan might look; we personalize every course sequence to match each student’s unique background and goals.
Summer Semester
- Accounting Analysis I (ACCY 501)
- Operations Management (BADM 567) or Advanced Corporate Finance (FIN 521)
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
- Managerial Accounting (ACCY 503)
- Elective Course
- Optional CPA Review
- Optional Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Concentrations
In addition to the core curriculum, eligible students may add a concentration. The MSA program offers two accountancy concentrations (detailed below). Non-accountancy concentrations — Corporate Governance & International Business, Finance, Information Technology & Control, and Supply Chain Management — have limited seating and require an eligibility review.
Data Analytics in Accountancy
- ACCY 570: Data Analytics Foundations for Accountancy
- ACCY 575: Data Analytics Applications in Accountancy
And one of the following
- ACCY 571: Statistical Analyses for Accountancy
- ACCY 512: Data Analytics for Management Accounting
- ACCY 574: Risk Management and Innovation
Or both
Taxation
- This concentration requires prior completion of introductory U.S. federal taxation coursework (or equivalent academic background).
- ACCY 551: Corporate Income Taxation
- ACCY 552: Partnership Income Taxation
- ACCY 556: Tax Research
Core courses
The following core courses are recommended for every master's in accounting student. If you've previously completed any of the courses below, you'll take a suitable replacement course approved by a program advisor.
Electives
You take elective courses during the program. At least four credit hours must be in a non-accountancy course. Elective options may vary by term.
Accountancy Electives
- Advanced Income Tax Problems
- Advanced Accounting
- Financial Reporting Standards
- Data Analytics for Management Accounting
- Professional Responsibility and Ethics for Accountants
- Financial Statements Analysis
- Financial Statements Fraud
- Multistate Taxation
- International Taxation
- Data Analytics Foundations for Accountancy
- Statistical Analytics for Accountancy
- Risk Management and Innovation
- Data Analytics Applications in Accounting
Non-Accountancy Electives
CPA Review Course
Help your community while enhancing your accounting skills
As a graduate accounting student at Gies, you can become a tax preparer or tax reviewer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. It’s a great way to make a difference in the community and gain real-world tax experience that employers are looking for.
